Ethanol blends in the US, Europe & Asia

Published 27 July 2026 · Global perspective

Brazil grabs the headlines, but ethanol in petrol is routine across much of the world. Here is how the United States, Europe and Asia run their blends today.

United States — E10 as standard

Nearly all American petrol is E10, so much so that the industry talks about a "blend wall" where almost every litre already contains 10% ethanol. To push higher, the US has expanded E15 (marketed as "Unleaded 88") and offers E85 for flex-fuel vehicles. The whole system runs on the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, and government labs found that modern vehicles ran on intermediate blends without warning lights or driveability problems in testing.

Europe — E10 became the default

Most European countries cap ethanol at E5 or E10. What changed in recent years is that E10 became the standard petrol at pumps in the UK, France, Germany and others, with clear guidance for the small share of older cars that should stick to E5. The Netherlands even offers a hydrous E15 for modern petrol cars. The rollout was smooth and broadly uncontroversial.

Thailand and Southeast Asia

Thailand has sold ethanol "gasohol" for years and is centring its latest roadmap on E20, while phasing out E85 by 2027 as it streamlines its fuel slate. The country actually runs an ethanol surplus. The Philippines uses E10 with E20 ambitions, and several other Asian economies are following similar paths.

The common thread

Two patterns stand out. First, E10 is globally normal — hundreds of millions of vehicles run on it without drama. Second, going beyond E10 works best when vehicles are built or certified for it and drivers get honest guidance, which is exactly the compatibility question at the heart of India's E20 move.